Experience the fragrant Provence on horseback, riding through lavender and Provençe herbs, and enjoy high-comfort accommodation with a pool !
- Very comfortable accommodation with a pool
- Ideal for families
44.004713309959, 5.56591965
A week on horseback inProvence, featuring varied day and half day rides out from your accommodation, based in the heart of the lavender-growing region. Enjoy a high-quality accommodation in a beautifully restored farmhouse, complete with excellent cuisine and a swimming pool where you can relax and cool off after your rides under the Provence sun!
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *
Day 0 - Sunday: We suggest to arrive on Sunday and spend one night in Aix en Provence (bus shuttle from Marseille airport or Aix TGV), visit this cute city loved by Cezanne, and take our free transfer from Aix tgv station at 11 am on Monday (bus shuttle from Aix center). Recommended hotels: Hotel Cardinal ** - Hotel des Quatre Dauphins *** - Hotel Mercure Paul Cezanne ***
Day 1 - Monday: Arrival at 12:00 PM at the La Fontaine guesthouse in Simiane-la-Rotonde, Haute-Provence. Paid transfers available from Marseille Airport (10:00 AM) or Aix-en-Provence TGV station (10:30 AM). Meet your guide and receive an overview of the horseback riding tour. Settle in and have lunch at the guesthouse. Set out on a ride of approximately 12 km around La Fontaine (about 3 hours in the saddle). Return to La Fontaine, then chance to visit the village of Simiane and the surrounding area (guided tour available at an extra cost). Picnic lunch packed in saddlebags.
Day 2 – Tuesday: A horseback ride to the village of Lagarde-d’Apt, passing through the village of Simiane-la-Rotonde and across the Albion Plateau to the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Lamaron. A full lunch served at tables and chairs at the foot of the chapel, facing Mont Ventoux.
Day 3 – Wednesday: Horseback ride to the Colorado Provençal. The Colorado itself is no longer accessible on horseback, but the GR trail skirting it offers a view from above (25 km, 6 hours in the saddle). Picnic lunch from the saddlebags.
Day 4 – Thursday: Another superb ride today to the spot known as Le Saut du Moine, where you can swim in a stream (approximately 4 hours in the saddle). Lunch at La Fontaine.
Day 5 – Friday: Ride around the lavender fields of Simiane (approx. 3 hours on horseback). Picnic lunch (carried in saddlebags).
Day 6 - Saturday: Departure or paid transfer at 9:00 AM to Marseille Airport or the Aix-en-Provence TGV station.
* Indicative itinerary, subject to change if necessary (due to weather, extreme fire risk, accommodation availability, or other compelling reasons).
MEETING:
On Monday (Day 1), pmeet in Simiane-la-Rotonde at 12:00 PM. A paid transfer (approx. €150 per car) is available from Marseille Provence Airport (10:00 AM)—please check airlines serving the airport—or from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station (10:30 AM) via SNCF or Trenitalia. There are no transfers from Marseille city center station (please take the shuttle bus to the airport) or from Aix city center (please take the shuttle bus to the Aix TGV station).
We suggest arriving on Sunday to spend the night in Aix-en-Provence and visit this lovely city, then taking the transfer from the Aix TGV station at 10:30 am. (Bus shuttle from Aix center to Aix tgv).
Recommended hotels: Hôtel Cardinal ** - Hôtel des Quatre Dauphins *** - Hôtel Mercure Paul Cézanne ***
DEPARTURE:
Saturday, after breakfast. Paid transfer (approx. €150 per car): departure at 9:00 AM for Aix-en-Provence TGV station (arrival ±10:30 AM) or Marseille Provence Airport (arrival ±11:00 AM). No transfer service to Marseille city center station (take the airport shuttle bus) or Aix city center (take the shuttle bus from Aix TGV station).
* Please note: departures before 9 AM are not possible; schedule your train or flight with sufficient time after the expected arrival to avoid needing a taxi. TGV: no earlier than 11:00 AM; flight: no earlier than 12:30 PM. Note: for "Ouigo" TGV trains, check-in at the station is required 30 minutes prior to departure.
TRANSFER PRICES:
Approximately €150 per car transfer (around 2 hour drive) to/from Aix-en-Provence TGV station or Marseille Provence Airport. Payable to the driver on site.
RIDING LEVEL: 
To participate and enjoy this ride, you must be comfortable at the three gaits (walk, trot, canter) on balanced horses.
AGE & MAXIMUM WEIGHT:
From 12 years, 85 kg maximum.
RYTHM:
First day: 2-3 hours on horseback. Next 3 days: 5 hours on horseback per day on average: 2-3 hours in the morning, 2-3 hours in the afternoon. At the three gaits: mostly walk & trot, canter when the soil allows it.
GROUPS:
2 to 4 + the guide. In Summer: 4 to 8 + the guide.
GUIDE:
Licenced English speaking equestrian guide.
HORSES:
- On certain dates: with the horses of Cap Rando. Local crossings, of medium size, selected for their character and adapted to the type of hike we offer. All our horses are "professionals" of the ride: they only do this activity. They are never locked in boxes, they live all year round in herds, out of season from November to March in semi-freedom on more than 500 ha. For these reasons, they are balanced, kind and strong-willed. Horses are assigned after discussion with your guide based on your height, weight, level and experience.
- On other dates: cavalry from a Cap Rando partner: mostly of the Camargue breed. Your guide chooses your horse on the morning of departure based on your height, weight, level and experience. All our horses are trail riding "professionals". They only do this activity and live in herds all year round. For these reasons, they are weel balanced, kind and willful. Medium in size, we chose them because they are suitable for the type of riding we offer.
TACK:
- With Cap Rando horses: comfortable trail ride saddles equipped with saddle bags.
- With our partner's horses: mostly western saddles equipped with saddlebags, that allow you to take the lunch picnic as well as some personal belongings. A saddlery adapted for the comfort of the horse, the comfort and the safety of the rider..
ACCOMMODATION:
Stay in rooms at a superb guesthouse in the heart of the Haute-Provence lavender fields.
Nights 1 to 5:
MEALS:
Dinner is served at the guesthouse, where the chef prepares Provençal cuisine—a varied, refined, and local menu. Special dietary requirements (vegetarian or medical needs) can be accommodated.
At lunchtime, hearty picnics (mixed salads, local cured meats, cheese, fruit, etc.) are carried in your panniers or provided by your host.
2027 PRICE / PER PERSON:
Prices are calculated for a minimum of 4 riders.
In 2-3 person bedroom: 2350 €
Single bedroom supplement: 200 € *
* The single supplement has to be added on the 2-3 person bedroom price. If you book in shared bedrooms and if there is no other rider to share, the single supplement will be applied.
Booking fees: 15 €
PRICES INCLUDE:
Horse and tack rental, the guide, the luggage transfers, accommodation,all meals from Monday lunch, until Saturday breakfast, the guarantee of your payments by our travel agency guarantee.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks, visits, transfers from/to Marseille airport, Aix-en-Provence TGV station, tips, everything that is not indicated in "the price includes".
INSURANCE (if you don’t already have one):
We offer to Europe Union citizens (only) Chapka insurances:
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
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